Residents question timing of Anaheim gang sweep

Aug. 10, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Benmore Lane neighborhood resident Elvia Navarro pushes back tears as she holds her son Federico Gonzalez, 1, when talking about her son Victor Alfonso Gonzalez, who was arrested in Friday morning's Operation Halo crackdown in Anaheim. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Many residents awoke to flash-bang grenades exploding in their apartments like this one that scorched an upstairs carpet. Anaheim residents of the Benmore Lane neighborhood talk about the federal and local law enforcement's criminal street gang crackdown after the fact. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Residents of the Benmore Lane neighborhood talk about the federal and local law enforcement criminal street gang crackdown after the fact presenting a door lock that was broken during the raid. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An Anaheim resident of the Benmore Lane neighborhood holds a flier that police officers handed out after federal and local law enforcement's criminal street gang crackdown Friday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Benmore Lane neighborhood resident Elvia Navarro pushes back tears as she holds her son Federico Gonzalez, 1, when talking about her son Victor Alfonso Gonzalez, who was arrested in Friday morning's Operation Halo crackdown in Anaheim. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ and ALEJANDRA MOLINA / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – An officer in a patrol car slowed and waved to residents on Anna Drive.

No one returned the wave.

Only yelling and cursing greeted the patrol car after a sweep Friday morning that resulted in the arrest of 33 suspected gang members.

"They said they're trying to help us, but they're making fun of us. I didn't think that was friendly," said 18-year-old Jennifer Navarro. "No, I don't feel better about them."

Anaheim Police Chief John Welter struck a reconciliatory tone when he announced dozens of arrests and search warrants as part of Operation Halo, a joint investigation between the Anaheim Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and a half dozen other local law enforcement agencies that targeted one of the city's most notorious criminal gangs.

Welter stressed the importance of rebuilding trust with residents after two officer-involved shootings that led to violent protests.

In the neighborhood where the sweep was conducted Friday morning, the operation was largely met with mistrust.

"I told (officers) this was retribution for what had been happening," said Elvia Navarro, whose son Victor Gonzalez was among those arrested. "It's revenge."

Residents described local and federal officers in military fatigues knocking on doors and barging into homes.

"My brother has nothing to do with drugs or the weapons that were found, said Jose Castro, 20, whose brother Eriberto Castro was taken into custody. "I want to know why they have him as a documented gang member."

Many Anna Drive residents said the perception that their neighbors feel safer after the raids is false.

"They're trying to take advantage of the community," said Rafael Brito, 23, a Fullerton College student whose two cousins were arrested. "It's not fair they're doing this." Daniel Brito, 20, was working at night and going to school by day to become an electrician. Juan Brito, 22, had just become a father, Rafael Brito said.

Standing outside her apartment building, Elvia Navarro said she's always trusted the police, but after the recent police shootings, the protests and Friday's sweep, she has doubts.

"I know not all of them are the same, but there are people that sell drugs and (the police) doesn't get them," she said. "I didn't fear police, but after all this happened, I thought they were just out to get someone. I thought: The police are out for payback."

Maria Hernandez said two of her sons were arrested Friday. She received a flier from police explaining Operation Halo, but she questions the department's motivation.

Last year, she moved from the Anna Drive neighborhood after her son was shot. She knows there's a crime problem.

"I don't know what to tell my sons anymore," she sad. "I don't know if to tell them to be careful of the gangsters -- or the cops."

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